Chapter 2

Seeing over a hundred missed calls, all from my mom, my heart sank. I bolted upright in bed.

I thought something terrible had happened.

I hurriedly called her back.

"Mom, what in the world—"

My mom cut me off with a cold laugh.

"Well, well, still alive, are we?"

"Didn't die and couldn't answer the phone? Are you trying to kill me with stress?"

Hearing her booming voice, I let out a breath of relief and rubbed my temples.

"Mom, I had an early shift today, my phone was off last night. What's so urgent?"

"Your sister is devastated by her divorce, and you had the nerve to turn off your phone and sleep? Have you no heart?"

"Raising an ungrateful brat like you, I'd rather have raised a dog! You didn't answer over a hundred calls. Do you think you're hot stuff and can just ignore me now?"

I sighed, exasperated. "Mom, I didn't mean that. Samantha's divorce is her own fault because she cheated. What does that have to do with me?"

That sentence seemed to hit a nerve with my mom.

Her voice suddenly rose, piercing my eardrums.

"What do you mean, 'it has nothing to do with you'? It's *your* fault, you little bitch! You didn't show your sister enough sympathy, and that's why you've ruined her marriage!"

I froze for two seconds.

A familiar weariness slowly consumed me, and I felt a prickling pain all over my body.

It was my fault again.

Everything was my fault.

Every single time Samantha was unhappy, it was all my fault.

When she dropped out of high school to become a mistress and got humiliated and attacked by the wife, it was my fault.

When she hung out with the wrong crowd, drank and street-raced, and had eight abortions, it was my fault.

When she grew up and manipulated her way into nine marriages, the shortest lasting less than a week.

Every time she was caught cheating, it was still my fault.

It felt like my very existence, even my breathing, was wrong.

After twenty-eight years of being treated like a doormat, I finally snapped.

"Mom, if you think I'm such a bitch, then don't call me again. Just pretend Samantha is your only daughter."

My mom's voice instantly became shrill.

"No! I gave birth to you, why wouldn't I bother you? You have to give me money, you have to send me on trips, you have to buy me gold and silver! And when I'm old, you'll be wiping my butt and waiting on me hand and foot 24/7! These are all things a piece of trash like you *should* do! This is your chance to atone!"

I laughed, exasperated.

"You gave birth to me, but wasn't Samantha born to you too?"

My mom stated, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world:

"Can your sister be compared to you? She was born to live a life of luxury, you were born to serve."

My throat tightened, a painful lump forming.

The favoritism, it’s always been there since childhood. I was never chosen, not once.

I should have been used to it by now, but my chest still ached and swelled with that familiar bitter sadness.

I fought back tears, about to hang up.

My mom suddenly ordered, "Grab your ID and marriage certificate and get over here now!"

My eyelids jumped.

"What are you planning?"

"Are you brain-dead? Didn't I tell you yesterday? You're divorcing Liam today. Your sister is going to marry him."

I was incredulous, my vision swimming.

"Mom, are you insane?! Liam is my husband! Just because Samantha wants him, I have to hand over my own marriage too?"

"What are you howling about?"

She said impatiently,

"Samantha is beautiful and successful. It's an honor she even looked at your husband! She's not even bothered that Liam's 'used goods' after three years with you. What right do you have to complain? You're a useless nobody, always have been, always will be, unlike your sister."

My ears buzzed, and I screamed, furious.

"I'd die before I divorce him, and so would Liam!"

"Oh really?"

My mom chuckled, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"I already told Liam you were caught sleeping with five men in a hotel last night! He's rushing back to divorce you right now, so he and Samantha can get married immediately."

I couldn't believe my ears, tears streaming down my face in sheer anger.

"Mom, how could you accuse me of something like that?!"

She scoffed dismissively.

"If you don't divorce him, I'll go to your company and spread rumors. I'll expose you online, tell everyone you abused and beat me. I'll drag your name through the mud, make sure no company ever hires you again. Yes, just like those online mobs on Ins and TikTok! You'll be begging on the streets."